How to Make a Fire using a Firesteel

Hi Everyone!

In this video I show you how to easily start a fire using a firesteel. I posted a video a few days ago on how to make a simple but very effective firestarter out of cotton balls and petroleum jelly, and that is what I use here.

The firesteel I use in the [...]

Growing Wheat Sprouts

Hi Everyone,

In this episode I’m showing you how I grow wheat sprouts from my long term storage wheat supply.

This craft is something that a lot of people from the great depression times knew well. There are a lot of things you can do with wheat berries, (more videos to come), but being able [...]

How to Use an Oil Lamp

Hi Everyone!

In this post I show you the basics on how to use a oil lamp (including some pointers on trimming the wicks).

Oil lamps were once used widely as the primary source of light in most households. Since the advent of electricity they have fallen into the category of relics, or, at best, [...]

Flashlights! My two favorites.

Hi Everyone!

Here I am doing a semi review of my two favorite flashlights.

I love flashlights, it is almost a fetish for me. I was a boy scout growing up and it was a big deal to compare and determine who had the coolest flashlight with my buddies every camping trip. Everyone has their [...]

Home Made Solar Cooker

Hi Everyone!

Well it’s a chilly and windy day, but the sun is out so I’m showing you my solar cooker. I made this several months ago and LOVE it. We have made several meals and even baked bread in it!

Check it out,

What a great way to cook. The total materials cost [...]

Rice Heat Sock With A Twist

Hi everyone!

This video was really fun to make. It is a very simple way to make a ‘warmer’ for just about any purpose. These things are far better than a hot water bottle in my book. They are cheaper, the heat lasts longer, and if it leaks you don’t have a wet mess.

Also [...]

Solar Backup System

Hi everyone!

Today I am showing you a short video of my solar backup system. I got interested in this concept because it was a way to dabble with solar energy that I could afford.

The system is small but useful. I have already used it in a few power outages and was able [...]

Another Method for Making a Newspaper Log

Hi Everyone!

A week or so ago I posted the video and comment on making a newspaper log using a press. The video has been very popular. Thanks for the support.

Anyhow, I mentioned I would show you another way to go about this, and here it is. Watch:

These things burn great – [...]

Solar Window Heaters

Here is a tour of my tinkering with solar window heaters. I have been messing around with these for a few months and am really very pleased with version #3.

There is a lot of speculation about how maybe these things don’t really do anything because they ‘block’ the sun from coming into the [...]

The Amazing Whirly-Pop

Hi Everyone!

Todays video is of me using a Whirley-Pop popcorn maker!

This thing is great, as I mention in the video it was a Christmas gift which I at first kinda looked at with the ‘when the heck will I use this?’ attitude and boy was I wrong! We use it all the [...]